jobfacts

CAD technician

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians — SOC 2020 3120

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians design and prepare technical drawings, plans, maps, charts and similar items and install, operate and maintain 3D printers.

Also calledStructural technicianDigital design technicianEngineering design technicianArchitectural technician3D printing technicianTown planning assistantand 75 more titles
Typical full-time pay£35,2002025 Provisional
People in the job55,000across the UK
Demand for workersCritical
New adverts a month1,600↑ 11%on last year · 120th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time CAD technicians earn between £29,500 and £42,500 a year.

What full-time CAD technicians earn, 2025
£35,200 typical£24,100lowest 10%£29,50025%£45,000top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£29,500–£42,500)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£24,100
Lowest 20% earn less than£28,300
25%£29,500
Median£35,200
75%£42,500
Top 20% earn more than£45,000
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £35,200
Yorkshire and The Humber!£42,200
North East!£39,700
South East!£39,700
South West!£36,500
East Midlands!£34,700
London!£34,500
North West!£33,900
Scotland!£33,700
West Midlands!£31,000
East of England!£30,300
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £35,200
Yorkshire and The Humber£42,200 (small sample)
North East£39,700 (small sample)
South East£39,700 (small sample)
South West£36,500 (small sample)
East Midlands£34,700 (small sample)
London£34,500 (small sample)
North West£33,900 (small sample)
Scotland£33,700 (small sample)
West Midlands£31,000 (small sample)
East of England£30,300 (small sample)
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £32,000
  • 2024 £33,800
  • 2025 Provisional£35,200
↑ 9.9% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,600 jobs for CAD technicians are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as critical.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20261,986
Jul 20261,619
Jun 20261,630
May 20261,520
Apr 20261,572
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,404
Jan 20261,722
Dec 2025916
Nov 20251,841
Oct 20251,738
Sept 20251,651
Aug 20251,539
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 20251,915
Apr 20251,526
Mar 20251,595
Feb 20251,865
Jan 20251,331
Dec 2024790
Nov 20241,140
Oct 20241,485
Sept 20241,322
Aug 20241,497
Jul 20241,542
Jun 20241,473
May 20241,642
Apr 20241,748
Mar 20241,764
Feb 20241,621
Jan 20242,077
Dec 20231,653
Nov 20231,530
Oct 20231,493
Sept 20231,567
Aug 20231,681
Jul 20231,863
Jun 20232,586
May 20232,202
Apr 20232,029
Mar 20232,300
Feb 20232,619
Jan 20232,896
Dec 20222,152
Nov 20222,720
Oct 20222,899
Sept 20222,649
Aug 20222,663
Jul 20222,807
Jun 20223,075
May 20223,300
Apr 20222,556
Mar 20222,879
Feb 20222,627
Jan 20222,864
Dec 20212,418
Nov 20212,332
Oct 20212,507
Sept 20212,503
Aug 20212,415
Jul 20212,989
Jun 20212,478
May 20212,745
Apr 20212,580
Mar 20212,869
Feb 20211,967
Jan 20211,978
Dec 20201,477
Nov 20201,650
Oct 20201,665
Sept 20201,488
Aug 20201,395
Jul 20201,381
Jun 20201,286
May 20201,037
Apr 20201,612
Mar 20203,090
Feb 20203,332
Jan 20202,970
Dec 20192,139
Nov 20192,758
Oct 20192,946
Sept 20192,894
Aug 20192,716
Jul 20193,674
Jun 20193,769
May 20193,193
Apr 20192,399
Mar 20192,903
Feb 20192,704
Jan 20193,366
Dec 20181,969
Nov 20182,691
Oct 20182,827
Sept 20182,944
Aug 20182,694
Jul 20182,757
Jun 20182,854
May 20183,053
Apr 20182,743
Mar 20183,009
Feb 20182,739
Jan 20183,074
Dec 20172,294
Nov 20172,834
Oct 20172,762
Sept 20172,817
Aug 20172,800
Jul 20172,739
Jun 20173,593
May 20173,787
Apr 20173,446
Mar 20174,046
Feb 20173,127
Jan 20173,860
Is there a shortage of CAD technicians?
Critical

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsWell above usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
23%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for science, engineering and technology associate professionals, which includes CAD technicians. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London791
Manchester152
Birmingham142
Bristol, City of106
Glasgow City99
Leeds94
Nottingham59
Warrington58
Derby46
Sheffield45
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where CAD technicians are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 87 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from India, United States, Taiwan, ranking it 108th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
WomenToo few in the survey to give a reliable figure
Age of CAD technicians
11%!
30%!
27%!
15%!
12%!
4.9%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–2411% (small sample)
25–3430% (small sample)
35–4427% (small sample)
45–5415% (small sample)
55–6412% (small sample)
65+4.9% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent59%
Higher education below degree16%
A levels or equivalent18%
GCSEs or equivalent!6.7%
Other qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent59%
Higher education below degree16%
A levels or equivalent18%
GCSEs or equivalent6.7% (small sample)
Other qualificationsNot published

Main employers: architectural activities (23%), engineering activities and related technical consultancy (20%), construction of residential and non-residential buildings (12%), construction of other civil engineering projects nec (5.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
59%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
4
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 4 years
typically
T Levels
2
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds

Routes in

CAD technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You could study for a higher national diploma or degree that includes computer-aided design work, such as:

  • construction
  • architectural technology
  • product design
  • design engineering
  • production or manufacturing engineering

Courses that include a year in industry or a summer internship will give you an opportunity to develop contacts and gain relevant work experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could train in computer-aided design by taking a college course like:

  • engineering technology
  • 2D computer-aided design
  • design and technology
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
  • T level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship that includes training in CAD design skills. These can be found in many industries, including engineering, manufacturing and construction.

Examples include:

  • Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Construction Design and Build Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

It can be useful to check job adverts to see which design software skills employers are looking for. Some software companies offer student packages or free trials that allow you to practise using them.

In construction design, it's helpful to have an understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Further information

You can find more about working and training in computer-aided design through Go Construct and the Institution of Engineering Designers.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for cad technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Architectural technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • architectural design and technology
  • construction and the built environment
  • architectural technology
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, which could teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job. You might then go on to study for a higher national certificate or diploma, or apply for an apprenticeship.

Courses include:

  • 3D computer-aided design
  • built environment design
  • construction and the built environment
  • T level in Design, Surveying, and Planning for Construction
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on one of the following apprenticeships:

  • Digital Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Construction Design and Build Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These take around 3 years to complete and include a mix of training on the job and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

Employers may take you on as a trainee if you have 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and 2 A levels, in subjects like maths, science, IT and technology. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.

They would then support you through training to gain your technician qualifications.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

It can help if you've got experience in the construction industry and knowledge of computer-aided design.

Professional and industry bodies

When you've completed an approved course you can apply for associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for architectural technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

3D printing technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in a subject like:

  • 3D design
  • product design
  • engineering
  • materials science
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a course in creative design, model making or engineering to help you to find a job.

Specific courses you could take to become a 3D printing technician include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Computer Aided Design
  • Level 3 Award in 3D Computer Aided Design
  • Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology
  • T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships you could take to become a 3D printing technician include:

  • Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Digital Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work your way up

You may be able to start as an assistant in a 3D printing workshop and train on the job to become a technician.

You'll find it helpful if you have some experience in manufacturing, model making, printing, technology or design.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You could learn more about the basics of 3D printing. This might help you decide if you'd enjoy a career as a 3D printing technician.

Further information

You can find out more about 3D printing and design engineering from The Welding Institute.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for 3d printing technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Town planning assistant

You can get into this job through:

University

You can do a degree accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute before applying for a job as an assistant.

Subjects include:

  • planning, environment and development
  • city and regional planning
  • urban planning and property development
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job, which may help when applying for a trainee position.

Courses include:

  • construction and the built environment
  • civil engineering for technicians
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You can apply for a place on a Town Planning Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Apply directly

You can apply directly for a trainee position. You'll need a minimum of GCSEs in maths, English and ICT, along with A levels or equivalent in subjects like:

  • geography
  • environmental studies
  • business studies
  • economics

You may have an advantage if you have experience in:

  • administration
  • computer-aided design (CAD)
  • construction
  • surveying

Some employers may ask for a degree qualification.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Town Planning Institute for networking, events and professional development training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in town planning from the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for town planning assistant. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cartographer

You can get into this job through:

University

You can take a degree in a subject that includes data gathering and analysis, such as:

  • geography
  • geographical information systems (GIS)
  • land surveying
  • earth sciences
  • oceanography
  • meteorology

Employers may also accept degrees in other subjects like computer science, software engineering or graphic design.

A postgraduate qualification may help you to find work in a specialist field of cartography like GIS.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You could apply to an organisation to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Geospatial Survey Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Spatial Data Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to start as a trainee cartographic or GIS technician and work your way up through training and promotion.

Employers may want you to have:

  • an apprenticeship in geospatial surveying or similar field
  • A levels in geography, mathematics or computing
  • a qualification equivalent to A level standard, for example a diploma in applied science
Other routes

You can apply to become a geographic technician with the Army, or join the Royal Air Force and train as an aviation data analyst (air cartographer).

At the end of your service, you could use your experience to find work in commercial cartography and mapping.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You can find opportunities to work as a cartographer in the public and private sector with:

  • Ordnance Survey
  • local and national government departments
  • transport companies
  • mapping and publishing companies
  • surveying and energy companies
Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Cartographic Society for networking, information resources and career development support.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in cartography from:

  • the British Cartographic Society
  • Ordnance Survey

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for cartographer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

4 for this job
Level 3About 3½ years

Engineering design technician

You gain
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in advanced manufacturing engineering (development technical…; Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)
Leads to
For the mechanical and piping options, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
Design and development for engineering and manufacturingT Level3
Craft and designT Level3

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • examines design specification and technical information to determine general requirements
  • considers the suitability of different materials with regard to the dimensions and weight and calculates the likely fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds and threads
  • prepares regulatory and statutory applications
  • monitors health and safety in design and contributes to design stage risk assessment
  • prepares design drawings, plans or sketches using CAD and traditional methods and checks feasibility of construction and compliance with health and safety regulations
  • prepares detailed drawings, plans, charts or maps that include natural features, desired surface finish, elevations, electrical circuitry and other details as required
  • arranges for completed drawings to be reproduced for use as working drawings
  • installs, maintains and repairs 3D printers and assists in the development of CAM plans and the operation of 3D printers

Skills

  • create technical plans
  • draft design specifications
  • use CAD software
  • use manual draughting techniques
  • use technical drawing software
  • design prototypes
  • adjust engineering designs
  • advise client on technical possibilities
  • create solutions to problems
  • design circuit boards
  • execute analytical mathematical calculations
  • identify customer's needs
  • calculate materials
  • create a product's virtual model

Knowledge

  • CAD software
  • design drawings
  • manual draughting techniques
  • mathematics
  • CADD software
  • manufacturing processes
  • 3D modelling
  • circuit diagrams

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, engineering and technology associate professionals, a group of 11 jobs that includes CAD technicians.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 4.9%about 34,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 2035228,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

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